How to get accepted at film festivals (full guide)

[@StandardStoryCo]

Live/in-person festivals are about to open back up, who's submitting this year?

[@darkgeekproductions4401]

I would LOVE to get into this but I've never been trained to make movies, have very little money and know..no one. Might still try at some point but idk.

[@brandonsantiago2298]

Hey I know I’m late to this but I’m filming a short film about domestic violence, it’s in Spanish with English subtitles. Where do you think this short film should be submitted to??

[@womackfilmworks]

Hi, I'm the former programming director of the 307 Film Festival and I remember your movie. (and it won an award if I remember correctly) Just wanted to say I loved it and I love the video. Keep making great films!

[@StandardStoryCo]

Oh hey! Thanks so much for the kind words and for including us in the fest ✌️

[@MaxsLEGOStopMotion]

As a 14 year old I’m finally getting into filmmaking and I’m still learning each day by watching tips and more. I of course make films myself but have a long way to go still, hopefully in 2 or 3 years from now I can get myself into one I’ll work hard! And your films and tip videos like this one really motivate me and informe me thank you, big inspiration man :)

[@derekluciano4511]

I’m 15 and I’m guessing by now you are prob 15 too so from a teen to a teen we got this 💪

[@MaxsLEGOStopMotion]

@@derekluciano4511 Yep!

[@BradleyTVOfficial]

@@MaxsLEGOStopMotion have you made anything? i'd love to see!!

[@5facts30]

Wow keep on going :) you are really ahead of the game by starting that young!! Congrats!!

[@BudgetFilmmaking]

I wish I had started as young as you. Keep at it. Is your work on your channel? I'd like to check it out.

[@omidfilms]

I had so many rejections in the beginning, I was so depressed but festivals are a numbers game and once I got my first big acceptance the snowball effect happened and one turned into another and as my film was gaining steam the pandemic hit 😂 but I’m still grateful I got into a handful of festivals before the shitstorm.

[@shontelhorneonline]

The info in this video is honestly the foundation of a business all about strategizing how to get films into festivals. This is gold.

[@bikefixer]

My film festival horror story took place in 2001. My second feature film was accepted to the first Tribeca Film Festival. So much easier in those pre-digital days when there were 500 submissions for 75 slots, as opposed to today when the big festivals get 30,000 submissions. But the problem was we had shot our film on 16mm, and the festival wasn't set up for that format (they did have 16mm the following year (when we were no longer eligible, of course). We didn't have money for a 35mm blowup, so we were dis-invited. On the flip side, I was lucky in the 1990s when festivals were a bit more desperate for content. In 1991, I had a film in the Dallas International Festival, and my first short film tied for 1st place at Breckenridge with two filmmakers who later became Oscar winners (Alexander Payne and David O. Russell). In 1997, we won best new feature at the Long Island Film Festival (over Steve Buscemi's directorial debut, Tree's Lounge).

[@charlieopalc]

About to submit my first film into festivals and I’m so pumped! This helped alot.

[@StephenJamesRheeder]

How is it going?

[@EBizz85]

How was it

[@LandscapeHeightMaps]

LOVE your channel and the info you give out. I wrote scripts back in high school, but stopped after I got out and on the work front. Now, 53 years old, I'm working to get back into script writing and begin a small film making hobby, using the resources and landscapes available to me. You do an awesome job in your videos and really inspire those of us to get it right the first time. After watching several of your videos over the last several days now, I think I'm armed with a great lineup of understanding what to do and not do going into my first mini film. I just wish I would have done this years ago, but better late then never right? ;-) I'll keep you updated on my progress. Thank you SO MUCH for talking about this info, I think it has helped move me in the right direction. BTW, I LOVE horror, so going to do something fun with a corn field and a nightmarish story line. Thanks for listening! - Will

[@tonibetzner263]

Thank you for the spreadsheet. You've done half the leg work for me. I'm so glad I stumbled on your channel. You are so informative and entertaining. Thank you

[@HollyHargreaves]

This video is great. As a fellow filmmaker who enters Oscar qualifying film festivals, I feel your rejection and fee pain. New subscriber, glad I stumbled upon your channel.

[@riennederson]

I'm a festival founder and programmer (Black Laurel Films) and this advice is solid. Programmers have to remove their personal preferences for a film and stick to the storytelling and technical aspects. There are tons of variables you have to consider and you cover them well. Thanks for doing this! :)

[@playversetv3877]

but im sure they still use their preferences.

[@CillitPrang]

I love you. You’re my hero. Don’t stop,

[@StandardStoryCo]

Much more coming 🙏

[@covalentproductions]

I've been making videos which started out as a joke but I have developed a passion for it, I am currently working on the finale of the series I have been making which I plan on making a lot better than the last one. I am super proud of it so far. I don't think it's worthy of a film festival but it's rewarding to have people comment on your video saying that it's funny or that it looks good

[@beaniemanmg9134]

I'm a poor guy and wanna pursue film making ever since I was a child. I might do it armed with a phone, capcut and a tripod. Wish me luck.

[@MahirTalukderRoll25SecC]

Hey man, did you make one I'd love to watch em Love from Bangladesh

[@LateflixMovieNetwork]

good tips! makes sense, I will pass along to other filmmakers

[@mattgray9297]

ALL OF THESE ARE TRUE! And most of them are so simple. Please, people, a little effort goes a long way. Just because you’re finished editing doesn’t mean you’re finished with your movie.

[@queenkreviews1999]

Thankyouuuuuu!!! It’s so hard to find honest information about submitting to film festivals🎉

[@nyceflix]

I'm grateful to the one programmer who gave me a lot of these jewels. I couldn't understand why these guys started following me, but the film wasn't getting in. 40min was a painful cut & now I needed to shorten that?!? It wasn't until PBS forced my hand. I was still within the typical one year production window & my resubmit rate was much better, & national tv to boot! These rules absolutely apply to documentary as well.

[@FlightPatternProductions]

This channels filled with such amazing information, it’s unbelievable. I’ve felt stuck in that uncanny valley when it comes to filmmaking, but I’ve been watching your videos and I feel a little more comfortable with my approach next time around. Thanks for putting these together.

[@khataient1385]

What an excellent contribution to all of us! Thank you and congratulations!! 👏

[@Rose-yx7bg]

i’m 14, currently working on my debut film (directed and written by me) and i’m really to start filming soon. this is what i wanna do with live so i decided why not start now lol. this is very helpful!! thanks

[@RidingwithStymie]

This video is exceptionally informative. Thank you.

[@ryanmoore2342]

Hey! just stumbled on this-- but I saw your film in a festival and I use it in many of my filmmaking classes to showcase subtext in story and character wants/needs. Love your film- many thanks.

[@StandardStoryCo]

Whoa that’s so cool! Thanks Ryan 🙏

[@ElenGlazova]

Thank you so much! Just now preparing myself to send the film to festivals, and your video is really helpful!

[@NathanBerry]

Dude this was an awesome breakdown, thanks so much.

[@yeoldeladstephen9947]

Yo, a video packed to the brim with practical and actionable advice about the admission process and experience? Cool beans. Thanks youfor running through it, I think this video has some serious insight.

[@moviegeek1111]

Dude, shit's hard I did this twice now and I was reasonably successful the first time considering it was my very first short but goddamn im going through it the second time rn and it's tough.

[@warrensteele5644]

I’ve been watching a lot of your content over the last few days as I found your channel but I’d be watching even more if you linked your other videos in the description that you reference in the video. Like “How to avoid short film cliches” etc. Thanks for your efforts to help indie filmmaking!

[@GP2Entertainment]

We loved the film at AFIN International! Well done and I hope you send your future films our way

[@Buddlightyear]

Always love what ya do man! this good advice even for just content creation period

[@movieman925]

this is very helpful thank you, i'm not quite at professional level with editing or filmmaking in general but im trying to improve everyday to get it to the standard i dream of being able to provide and show.

[@nyceflix]

As a 10yr vet of festival circuit I came into the video ready to pick it apart...great job

[@realbadger]

I lost count how many "film festival invitations" were received for my short film _Bucky,_ only for it to be Not Selected (but thanks for the submission fee!)... Thankfully, _Bucky_ won at its premier film festival, locally, so it was first publicly shown at the Hollywood Chinese Theatres, and it did win at numerous festivals throughout its festival circuit run.

[@seansweetman]

Hey man! I'm a music video director looking to start making shorts so this has all been super helpful. Just submitted to your newsletter! Thanks for the awesome resources!

[@FrictionMakesFire]

This channel really found me at a great time. Love this channel and the info it provides. Just signed up for the newsletter and look forward to more videos! Thanks!

[@StandardStoryCo]

Thanks for watching!

[@dvforever]

This is all great information. I do have a question. What is the end game of getting your shorts into festivals? Is it getting your name out there in the industry? Finding connections to collaborate with on future projects? Getting producers to read your feature film screenplay? Have your festival acceptances lead to anything in advancing your career? Some people are just satisfied with going to festivals, screenings, parties and accepting awards. Being part of a "special club". You seem too intelligent to be satisfied with just that.

[@StandardStoryCo]

Getting a short into a top tier festival is still probably the best way to level up as indie filmmaker, get industry contacts, and get on festivals' radars for a future feature film project. Outside of the top tier fests, festivals are a great place to make connections to other filmmakers you may want to collaborate with, and can lend some prestige to your short film's online release. For example, our festival appearances led to the Omeleto KZbin channel (with 3M subs) inviting us to release Will The Machine on their channel, finding an exponentially bigger audience than it would only on ours. Film Shortage, Short of The Week, Vimeo Staff Picks are similar release platforms that put value on a festival pedigree. Outside of all that, it's fun and educational to watch your short with a crowded theater audience.

[@leroystreetproductions5870]

@@StandardStoryCo And did Omeleto give you a nickel of the all the clicks your film got it? I hope so.

[@blairwitchde]

Your channel is pure gold - THX!

[@JoshPostVlogs]

Great info! Curious if festivals have technical requirements like film has to be 4k quality or certain aspect ratio or 10-bit color, that sort of thing?

[@lucinematic]

I love your channel, it makes my dream to make a movie for a film festival does not sound crazy.

[@MartinKusimo]

Excellent and very insightful video, thank you!

[@AZLAANmumbai]

I am from India and I loved your ideas... They are universal...

[@17samalex]

My first film horror won 65 awards my second, is in festivals winning 35 I'm doing a sequel to it now. Not only submitting is expensive when you win you PAY for the Trophies not cheap $250-300$ in some cases

[@Jiiimbooh]

This sounds suspicious. I wouldn't pay 300 dollars for a trophy. If you won it, you should get it for free. (Paying for shipment is OK.) Also, if it's difficult to find information about public screenings, and what films played at previous editions (even when going to archived versions of their official site) I wouldn't submit to it. If they don't advertise their screenings to an audience, then who is attending?

[@paulwfranklin1323]

My short horror's doing well so far, but all of them virtual festivals... Hoping i get into some real-life ones later in the year! For the free bar, of course.

[@StandardStoryCo]

The name of the game is make up for travel expenses in free alcohol 🍻

[@paulwfranklin1323]

@@StandardStoryCo ... and the $2,700 in fees! Challenge accepted.

[@screenblaggers76]

Any virtual ones that you can suggest? I’m into drama and thriller submissions

[@flamingocupproductions5329]

wish festival is the best for just having lots of fun

[@Manueljusto]

Thanks for all the tips and sharing your personal experience, this helps a ton. Just got my first rejection from my first and only application (mistake number one right there). I was wondering a lot about runtime when I made my movie, and the programability issue makes a lot of sense, as you described it. My 'short' film is 55 min long (!) and is not even eligible for most short film competitions. I'm now divided as to whether I should cut it down to a shorter runtime or maybe if it would be actually better to submit it to feature film contests? Thanks again and keep up the good work!

[@Daze_LikeThese]

@StandardStoryCo Hey man, love your videos! I liked and subscribed. I was wondering if you could make a couple of videos on these subjects: 1. How to determine a budget for your short film 2. How/Where to hire a film crew/actors for your short film ( also on that subject, which crew members are the most essential?)

[@rogue0192]

I always submit through FilmFreeway with a cover letter but there doesn't seem to be an option for a lot of the submission materials you talk about in the "film as a package" section...should I include these in my project page or somewhere else?

[@noahben4944]

This seems very informative, I want to try and get better at some things

[@kubolor1234]

This video is really for producers.

[@jweezy15able]

When I hear you say "almost none of these movies stuck with you after seeing them, so imagine how bad the rejectes ones are", what I hear is "these guys have bad taste because they bored everyone to death and those rejected movies would have made things more interesting". Im not saying I dont trust film festivals to do quality control, but ive seen the movies that get accepted to these and ive seen student fulms from the same area, and you can tell the festival folks have lost the plot.

[@miraclewalkerproductions]

Thank you for this!

[@saraj.2721]

Great video! This helps a lot to understand short film distribution in US. I think it's a bit different to the values festivals in europe and latin america look for. It's good to question yourself and identify what does your film needs to define the route you going to take.

[@tcdoesstuff]

I’m making a 2 min short for a small film contest, all planned and shooting it in 2 weeks. I’ve never thought of film festivals, but maybe I should not not consider it. We are a 2 man band with us as actors, directors, and crew, so maybe I should actually finish it before considering 😂

[@GDSprodify]

That’s Great You’re From Virginia Like Myself, Thank You For The Tips Really Appreciate It.

[@ShamellAntone]

another dope vid... i'm going thru it now lol... its a fun experience so far!!....

[@fluffyMajestic]

Just make a great movie. Unique art is more important than all this other stuff.

[@dartagnonraines]

A great strategy to get your great movie SEEN is just as important, Fluffy

[@BlackWrathProductions]

Very useful, thank you

[@PaceFilmsProductions]

4:58 That's Monument Ave in Richmond isn't it? I used to walk around there when I was going to school at VCU. I learned a lot of these same lessons on the festival run for my short film. Although I think I will follow your advice with the spreadsheet for festivals on my next film.

[@Kilometers_KPH]

A few months ago I won my first film fest in South Florida, but what you're saying is something I should keep in mind Thank you

[@juanignacioottobre329]

I wish I could have seen this movie before sending my short film. It took me years until it was finally accepted but it was worthy

[@douglasspaltro2697]

Super informative!!! Question: What are your thoughts on having two different cuts of a short...say the 9-12 min to accommodate festival blocking, and perhaps the 15+ to really completely tell the story with the extra beautiful imagery and such....thoughts?

[@StandardStoryCo]

You want the festival version of your short to be the ULTIMATE version of your short! If you feel that fluffing it out with pretty shots makes the film better, then submit that one, but most likely that's just the more self-indulgent version of the film.

[@douglasspaltro2697]

@@StandardStoryCo Roger that...thnx!

[@slipoch6635]

Great videos man.

[@Madi-dt7bo]

Thank you! Really helpful video.

[@roderickarbre6822]

Thank you for this, super helpful 🙏 I finished my first music video and was getting asked to submit online by festivals when I put trainers up - I'm still learning and slowly getting better equipment... but I have the ideas 💡

[@TheManhattanshort]

Every film has to find its right film festival...and every film festival has to find its right film.

[@mohammadfaizali3650]

Nice video and advice. I also like your cat.

[@derekk2708]

Excellent Video. Very Useful. Thanks for uploading. ; )

[@Franciszeg]

0:36 a frame used as miniature :D

[@halsinden]

well reasoned, sir. valuable points made.

[@kristianlist8382]

Funny to see Chris popping up in this video, as I know him from his own YT channel 😀

[@BreindelW]

Thank you, this was very helpful! And then I watched Will the Machine, great job!!

[@frankguthrie2825]

Thank you!!

[@shivanimehra.911]

This was a very informative. Thank you so much. How can I get the spreadsheet?

[@KeithDaviesMusic]

You talk of having famous faces/actors in your films, and also you mention your producer hooked you up with things too.. The average person who makes amateur films doesn't have access to such things. Which in my eyes makes peoples chances a lot harder to get noticed. It sounds to me that it's a case of 'it's NOT what you know, it's WHO you know!'

[@heisenbergfilms9]

Very insightful! Thanks

[@arjunsachin1857]

you are a life saver

[@MoLtenMetaL7]

But most festivals state clearly that once you submit, you cannot cancel your submission. This forces you to wait

[@MoLtenMetaL7]

@Oak Island Pictures It is written explicitly in the terms of most festivals I have submitted to.

[@laurenelizabeth9842]

what is the benefit to going to so many festivals? exposure and creating connections? I'm curious how much I should budget for a festival and how much should I just invest in my next films budget instead?

[@OskarRosetti]

Advice from someone who never had trouble being selected in big festivals (and it ain't gonna take 20 minutes so take notes): make a good film. That's it, that's all there is to it!

[@maxsvoicecollection]

I’m making a feature film called Fired, It will be 88 minutes long. But I have to be careful with my IPad’s storage. It’s not unlimited.

[@DEBBIERISE_Nation]

Thank you.

[@gervonrobinson8642]

Was “Will the machine” filmed in Richmond? Those locations look familiar

[@douglaswicker]

You should really investigate your “bad poster art” example. The story of those Ghanaian artists that do that work is really a story worthy of a film.

[@HGRRecordsWilcox]

I guess even a link on a very old thread gets deleted, sigh. So-...any recommendations for fests who really like animated sci-fi shorts? No links plz. Thanks.

[@ronineditor9920]

The "name" actors or recognizable actors is a legit 'hack' to get into festivals... I have a film that blew-up, got into the top festivals, had one great lead but she wasn't a name yet... and her co-star was a lead on a TV show, a friend of mine, but was only in like three scenes but that made the difference. He even won various "best actor" awards -- if he could show up to the festival. They want that star power. Believe me, I wish it wasn't a thing and they could just have the best films. I did a film after that one, much bigger and, I think, better, but that was a STRUGGLE to get into festivals... why? No big names. From now on, I'm not doing any short without a name. (Eric Roberts doesn't count! haha)

[@vonjuan5549]

Good info. here!

[@MG-ed1ih]

If you don't get accepted in the top ten film festivals, there is no guarantee that your career will advance as a filmmaker. I know from a friend who got accepted into Cannes (Not short film corner, the main event) and after that, it was a smooth sailing for him. That's why I always say before anything else, you should have a SOLID script first and foremost. My short script is in the top 1% on Coverfly and now I'm in the process to get it done. So, my advice to filmmakers WRITE an honest and engaging script first before anything else.

[@nyceflix]

Dropped my comment half way thru the video...it actually got better as it went along. 👍

[@lukeshawmusic]

Thanks for the video, I would love to do music for a film! Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Keep up the awesome work.

[@n0rm4lly43]

i wonder, are there any film festivals that have mostly feature length films in their block? i want to get something submitted but i don't want to squeeze runtimes if what's being submitted is mostly short films

[@aluuymskn]

Is it like films which aim to have a theatrical release are only gonna be selected for Film Festivals

[@lisabaxter7786]

Fantabulous

[@EthanKnottsSmith]

This is my first time putting thru my grad film into film festivals and ngl its disheartening not getting in, kinda feels like you are an awful film maker. But I know Ive just gotta move on and gg go next. Thanks for the vid. Really helpful! :)

[@Met9171]

How to know if you have been accepted into a film festival since I received a submission confirmation email months ago then lately before the 1st round winners announcement I received a 2nd email,a regret notification email that I wasn't selected for this year's edition so I was confused if whether was I initially accepted but later never made it to the 1st round winners or was I never accepted at all?

[@swashyhimself]

If mr Lamb barely got in with his skill and experience… is it safe to just not bother and put that effort in other areas?

[@Lalalalalalalalalalalalalalai]

Hey do you have any recommendations for teenage film festivals? Like for high school students

[@SayiyaNax-ping]

What about someone who doesn’t have connections to those guys?

[@Pickupstix24]

so you pay to enter, but if you're rejected you just lose money??? that hurts.

[@warriorclassmedia]

Good job

[@nickkorea5850]

What is your opinion on small or new film fests? The ones that cost 20 bucks or less to submit on film free way Worth even bothering?